49ers great Patrick Willis named to 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame class

Feb 8, 2024, 7:15 PM | Updated: Feb 9, 2024, 4:11 pm

SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 05: Patrick Willis #52 of the San Francisco 49ers runs onto the field during player introductions for their game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Levi's Stadium on October 5, 2014 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

BY AMILIANO FRAGOSO

San Francisco 49ers Beat Writer

At long last, Patrick Willis is heading to Canton, Ohio.

The San Francisco 49ers great has been announced as a member of the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame Class, Willis’ inclusion ends a multi-year drought of being off the final list, making it the final round of inductees three years in a row.

That is no longer the class, with the former linebacker getting his name etched into the NFL history books forever.

Pro Football Hall of Fame, Class of 2024:

🏈Julius Peppers
🏈Devin Hester
🏈Dwight Freeney
🏈Andre Johnson
🏈Patrick Willis
🏈Steve McMichael
🏈Randy Gradishar
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 9, 2024

Patrick Willis, spent his entire eight-year career with the Red & Gold, becoming one of the hardest-hitting middle linebackers to ever play the sport.

He finished his career with 950 total tackles, 20.5 sacks, 60 TFLs, 41 QB hits and 53 passes defended. Throw in eight INTs and two touchdowns, Willis was a man on a mission during his NFL tenure, making the Pro Bowl seven times.

Sadly, his career was cut short due to injuries, only playing in six games during his final season in 2014. He retired at the age 30, but left a very memorable mark on The Faithful and his peers.

“A fantastic football player, fantastic human being, played [the position] the right way,” 49ers general manager John Lynch said about Willis this week.

“He set a standard of excellence and provided exemplary leadership for his teammates. His grit and passion for the game anchored our defense and elevated everyone around him,” 49ers ownership said in a statement.

About damn time. #PFHOF24 pic.twitter.com/JX8ORH73YJ
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) February 9, 2024

Willis joins six other members of the 2024 hall of fame class. That list includes Dwight Freeney, Devin Hester, Andre Johnson, Julius Peppers, Randy Gradishar (senior inductee), Steve McMichael (senior inductee).